Chapter Sixteen: Simply Stunning

Yang Le paused at the entrance of Animar, glancing inside.
"The clothes in here look nice. Let's go in and have a look."
He had no idea Animar was famous or expensive; he simply liked the style of the clothes.
"Kid, do you want me to give you a little lesson? Not just anyone can afford the clothes in here. A single outfit here could buy you dozens of what you’re wearing now."
"With how broke you look, you still want to shop here? Or are you planning to spend a woman's money?"
Wu Qian and Sun Tao each chipped in, their only goal to belittle Yang Le.
"Don't be like that, you two. I think Yang Le can afford these clothes. Let’s just go in with them and see."
Although Song Fei’er claimed Yang Le was wealthy, Cao Xun didn’t believe it. Letting Yang Le go in was just to watch him embarrass himself.
"I'll go in with you then. If nothing suits, we’ll just leave," Song Fei’er said, though somewhat reluctantly. She knew Yang Le had money, but if he kept spending at this rate, it wouldn’t last long.
Yang Le didn’t care at all. His father had just asked him last night if he needed more money. If he didn’t spend it soon, he’d feel guilty toward his dad.
"Hello everyone, are you looking to buy clothes?"
The salesgirl, Li Li, greeted them warmly as they entered, but her enthusiasm was clearly reserved for Cao Xun’s group. She filtered Yang Le out with her gaze.
"Sir, your girlfriend is really beautiful," she said flatteringly to Cao Xun, hoping he’d buy something.
"Are you blind? Who told you I’m his girlfriend? My boyfriend is right here," Song Fei’er snapped, unwilling to be misunderstood, even in jest.
Li Li followed Song Fei’er’s pointing finger and, seeing Yang Le, was surprised. Song Fei’er was attractive and dressed decently—how did she end up with a country bumpkin who’d just come to the city?
"Yes, he’s her boyfriend, and he’s the one buying today. Help him pick out some clothes. But remember, he’s paying," Cao Xun said, uncharacteristically acknowledging their relationship. But his true intention was to see Yang Le embarrass himself.
"He wants to buy clothes and pay for them himself? I doubt he even knows where he is. Each item here costs thousands. Can he afford it? If he can’t pay, don’t bother trying anything on," Li Li echoed Cao Xun’s disdain, hoping to please him and earn a hefty commission if he decided to buy.
"Is this how you treat customers? I’d like a different sales assistant," Song Fei’er demanded before Yang Le could respond. Since he was here as her boyfriend, Li Li’s contempt was an insult to her as well.
"Fine, switch then. What’s the big deal?" Li Li was more than happy to hand them off. If Yang Le couldn’t afford anything, why waste her breath?
"Zhong Le, you go help those two guests," Li Li called out from the cashier’s desk, sending the new hire over to attend Yang Le.
"Sir, what style are you looking for? A suit or something more casual?" Zhong Le asked, still warm and attentive.
"You just stay here and watch. If we buy anything, the commission is yours," Song Fei’er said. Though her father was the director of the Land Resources Bureau, she knew how commissions worked. She didn’t want to see the snobbish Li Li benefit today.
Song Fei’er planned to pick Yang Le’s clothes herself. She sifted through the racks and selected three suitable outfits. Seeing her struggle to carry them, Zhong Le came over to help with one.
"Go try these on and see how they look."
She handed Yang Le a new blue shirt and black casual trousers, colors that would complement his sun-darkened skin.
Without hesitation, Yang Le took the clothes and headed to the fitting room. He’d brought Song Fei’er here precisely so she could choose for him.
Inside, he checked the price tags—nearly fainted when he saw them. The shirt was 1,999, the trousers 2,999. In the past, he’d have dropped the clothes and run.
But now? He’d spent tens of thousands on a single meal. What did a few thousand matter?
He changed out of his old clothes and into the ones Song Fei’er picked.
When he stepped out, Song Fei’er and the others immediately turned their attention.
Seeing Yang Le in new clothes, Song Fei’er was stunned.
"Is this really Yang Le? How can he look so handsome just by changing clothes? Unbelievable," she thought.
Even Cao Xun and his friends were dazzled. The country boy had transformed into someone more handsome than themselves—no wonder Song Fei’er liked him.
But Cao Xun still believed Yang Le couldn’t afford these clothes.
Zhong Le, the sales assistant, was also taken aback by his transformation.
Yang Le noticed everyone staring and wondered if his zipper was undone. He checked, but it was fine. Why were they all looking at him like that? He couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
But then, catching his reflection in the mirror, Yang Le was shocked himself.
Was this handsome guy really him? Was he always this good-looking?
"Hello there, super handsome," he silently greeted his own reflection.
He marveled, "It’s true what they say: Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. That must be why I look so different now."
"Try the other two sets as well," Song Fei’er urged, finally snapping out of her daze.
"Some people might look good, but if you don’t have the money, don’t try on the clothes here. If you get them dirty, who would buy them?" Li Li said, unable to resist mocking Yang Le since he hadn’t said he’d buy and was still trying on more outfits.
This time, Yang Le and Song Fei’er ignored her. Yang Le felt it was pointless to respond, and Song Fei’er was eager to see him in the other clothes.
With every outfit Yang Le tried, Song Fei’er’s heart skipped faster, only calming once he’d tried on all three.
"We’ll take all three sets. Please pack up these two, and he’ll keep this one on," Song Fei’er decided, unable to resist after seeing how good he looked.
"Yang Le, you’re not going to make a woman pay for your clothes, are you?" Cao Xun said, assuming Song Fei’er would pay, trying to embarrass Yang Le.
"These days, all men want to live off women," Li Li sneered.
"So what if I do? Do you have a problem with that, ugly?" Yang Le shot back at Li Li, who, truthfully, wasn’t much to look at.
Song Fei’er paused at Yang Le’s words. Was he really expecting her to pay? She didn’t have that kind of money. Was he about to make a fool of himself?
"Miss Zhong Le, can I pay by card?" Yang Le asked gently after dealing with Li Li.
The difference between these two salesgirls couldn’t be more obvious.
"Of course," Zhong Le replied pleasantly, showing no sign of looking down on Yang Le.
"Please ring it up. I’ll pay with card," Yang Le said, pulling a card from his pocket.
"This guy is really putting on a show. Is there any money on that card?" Wu Qian muttered, ever the loyal lackey to Cao Xun.
"He’s acting so cool, but I wonder how he’ll end this," Sun Tao chimed in, not to be outdone.
"That will be thirteen thousand, one hundred and forty," Zhong Le announced the total.
Yang Le was a bit surprised by the total—what a coincidence.
"Go ahead and charge it," he said without hesitation.
Ding—
The sound left Cao Xun gaping, unable to speak for a long moment.
How could the card have gone through? Was he hallucinating?
"Cao, he really paid," Wu Qian said softly, thinking Cao Xun hadn’t heard.
Cao Xun nodded, acknowledging he understood.
"Ugly, remember not to judge people by their looks. It’s not easy being a salesgirl. I won’t bother telling your manager, but be careful in the future," Yang Le admonished Li Li, but didn’t make things harder for her.
Li Li, who’d planned to mock him, could only swallow her words after he paid successfully.
With that, Yang Le and Song Fei’er strode out in style.
Cao Xun and his group, still unsatisfied, trailed after them.
"Why are you still following us? Want to see my new car? But I’m not giving you a ride," Yang Le said, annoyed. Their persistence made him feel like a suspect being tailed by the police in a TV drama.
"Who do you think you are? So what if you bought some clothes? Does this mall belong to you? I’ll walk wherever I want!" Cao Xun snapped, already irritated that Yang Le had managed to pay, and now being mocked as well.
Yang Le couldn’t be bothered with Cao Xun’s shouting. He led Song Fei’er toward the exit.
Seeing them leave, Cao Xun stopped his rant and caught up again. He wanted to see what kind of car Yang Le had bought, and whether it could compare to his own.